This course is designed for law enforcement officers, investigators, analysts, tech agents, and prosecuting attorneys with limited or no prior experience in wiretap investigations. This course will highlight the effectiveness of using wiretaps to identify, document and successfully prosecute narcotics trafficking organizations and violent street gangs dealing in narcotics, as well as show their usefulness in homicide, robbery, kidnapping, fugitive and public corruption investigations. Students will receive in-depth instruction regarding the legal requirements of conducting a wiretap investigation, legal guidelines regarding what kind of conversations can be intercepted, sealing requirements, and a list of potential courts orders that will be needed in a wiretap investigation, developing a pre-wiretap investigative plan and strategy, drafting affidavits and all other electronic intercept orders needed in the investigation, the techniques and goals of the actual wiretap unique to gang investigations, the importance and functionality of spin wiretaps, and take-down day goals which further the prosecution of the entire organization. Students will also be given practical instruction on drafting the actual intercept affidavit and order.

This course will include a detailed discussion on a variety of topics, including current intercept technologies, the pre-wiretap investigation needed to obtain an interception order, the actual wiretap investigation during the wire, and how to properly manage and run the wiretap room. Students will also be given information on specific reports that need to be generated, voice identification issues, and take down day considerations. Finally, this course will highlight for investigators and prosecutors the anticipated legal arguments and case agent testimony justifying the need for the interception order, extensions and spin wires.

Course Objectives:

Develop a sufficient understanding of the laws, legal requirements and investigative techniques to enable the student to write a wiretap application

Understand the requirements for obtaining an interception order.

Learn how to subpoena historical phone records and Pen Registers

Learn how to obtain intercept orders for Trap and Trace on suspect’s communication devices

Learn the key fields of the wiretap application that MUST be satisfied before authorization can be approved

Understand the legal procedural review process the prosecutor and investigators must follow before having an order signed by a judge

Understand minimization issues relevant to the investigation concerning what can and cannot be legally monitored or intercepted

Understand how to effectively manage a wiretap room

Understand the various roles and responsibilities of all the parties involved in the investigation: prosecutor, case agent, wire room plant manager, monitors, surveillance team leaders, surveillance team members, tech agents and analysts

Understand the importance of coordinating the taped phone calls or information with the observations of the surveillance teams while the wiretap is active

Learn how to expand the scope of the investigation through wiretap extension orders and spin wires

Become familiar with the common defense attorney defenses and arguments in court, and the tactics used against investigators while testifying in court